The 26-year-old stood to gain a £1 million bonus every time that he managed to go through a season without receiving three or more red cards for violent behaviour, spitting on someone, insulting or abusive language/gestures, or any dissent by word or action.

Known for his erratic behaviour on and off the pitch, this still seems a very easy way for the Italian to gain a significant bonus – in addition to… Read the full story]]>

Former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that he struggled to connect with controversial striker Mario Balotelli during his time at Anfield.

Balotelli, who was sent back to AC Milan on loan following his first season on Merseyside after scoring just on Premier League goal, hit out at his disastrous time with Rodgers and labeled him the ‘worst coach’ he has ever worked with.

In reaction to that, now Celtic boss Rodgers admitted that the Italian striker was ‘probably absolutely spot on’ after claiming the late transfer gamble just didn’t pay off.

Mario Balotelli has vowed to fly a helicopter over Nice if he wins the Ligue 1 title this season.

The 26-year-old Italian striker, who has found form once more having left Liverpool for Nice on a free transfer in the summer, is currently top of the French division having only lost one league game so far this season.

Liverpool great John Arne Riise responded to Mario Balotelli on Twitter (Picture: Getty)

Mario Balotelli had a torrid time during his short-lived Liverpool career and was criticised by supporters, past players and pundits for his poor attitude both on and off the pitch.

The latest to hit out at Balotelli is Reds legend John Arne Riise who, of course, won the Champions League and FA Cup during his seven-year stint at Anfield.

Riise had a good relationship with fans throughout his stay on Merseyside and still maintains contact with them on Twitter.

Balotelli, meanwhile, joined Nice in the summer and French supporters have fallen in love with the controversial star after his goalscoring exploits – the 26-year-old has scored seven goals… Read the full story]]>

It seems Mario Balotelli is still causing trouble for Liverpool, despite the Italian striker having been moved on from Anfield.

The Merseyside flop, who generated more negative headlines than he scored goals at Liverpool, has urged Mamadou Sakho to quit Anfield and join him in Nice.

Sakho is currently out of the Liverpool side having angered manager Jurgen Klopp with his behaviour on a pre-season tour. Yet to play this season it’s unclear if the 26-year-old will be given a second chance.

Balotelli isn’t happy about the situation and suggested Sakho follow him to Ligue 1 side Nice.
‘I speak with him from time to time. I told him… Read the full story]]>

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http://metro.co.uk/2016/10/13/former-manchester-city-boss-roberto-mancini-he-and-mario-balotelli-never-came-to-blows-during-training-ground-row-6191321/feed/0Coral BarrySoccer - Roberto Mancini Filers156143livestmarysacukMario Balotelli has thanked Roberto Mancini for the manager's ongoing support (Picture: Getty)In this file picture taken on December 26, 2010 Manchester City's Italian manager Roberto Mancini (R) clashes with his Italian striker Mario Balotelli after their English Premier League football match against Newcastle United at St James' Park, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, north-east England. Mario Balotelli's future at Manchester City was cast into doubt once again on Thursday, January 3, 2013 after photographs emerged showing him in an apparent training-ground bust-up with manager Roberto Mancini. Media reports claimed that Mancini lost his temper with his Italian compatriot after Balotelli made a reckless challenge on team-mate Scott Sinclair at the club's Carrington training base on the edge of Manchester. The pictures, published widely in the British media, show Mancini gripping Balotelli's orange bib in an apparent rage, before the two men are separated by members of City's coaching staff. AFP PHOTO/GRAHAM STUART FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY Additional licence required for any commercial/promotional use or use on TV or internet (except identical online version of newspaper) of Premier League/Football League photos. Tel DataCo +44 207 2981656. Do not alter/modify photo.Credit: AFP/Getty ImagesMario Balotelli sent off three minutes after scoring stunning Nice winnerhttp://metro.co.uk/2016/10/02/mario-balotelli-sent-off-three-minutes-after-scoring-stunning-nice-winner-6166671/
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Mario Balotelli just can’t keep himself out of the headlines.

The 26-year-old Liverpool flop, who left Anfield on a free transfer after managing just one Premier League goal following his £16million move from AC Milan, is attempting to rebuild his career in France after yet another career setback.

The deadline day transfer prompted the fiery Italian to claim his move to Merseyside was ‘worst mistake of his life’, before taking aim at Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp who managed him at Liverpool.

However, against all the odds, Balotelli is showing glimpses of his former self in positive and negative fashion.

After picking the ball up in the dying moments of a Nice game against Lorient, the striker fired in a 87th minute winner before picking up a yellow card for taking his shirt of in celebration.

Minutes later, in the remaining seconds of the 94th minute, the Italian came to blows with Steve Moreira and the referee (quite harshly) decided… Read the full story]]>

http://metro.co.uk/2016/10/02/mario-balotelli-sent-off-three-minutes-after-scoring-stunning-nice-winner-6166671/feed/0FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-NICE-LORIENTleethomasmasonmetroMario Balotelli reminds the world he is actually a footballer with great goal for Nicehttp://metro.co.uk/2016/09/21/mario-balotelli-reminds-the-world-he-is-actually-a-footballer-with-great-goal-for-nice-6143649/
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Mario Balotelli scored his third goal of the season with a brilliant finish against Monaco for his new club Nice.

The 26-year-old Liverpool flop, who left Anfield on a free transfer after managing just one Premier League goal following his £16million move from AC Milan, is attempting to rebuild his career in France after yet another career setback.

The deadline day transfer prompted the fiery Italian to claim his move to Merseyside was ‘worst mistake of his life’, before taking aim at Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp who managed him at Liverpool.

However, against all the odds, Balotelli is showing glimpses of his former self.

http://metro.co.uk/2016/09/21/mario-balotelli-reminds-the-world-he-is-actually-a-footballer-with-great-goal-for-nice-6143649/feed/0Lee Thomas-MasonFBL-FRA-LIGUE1-NICE-MARSEILLEleethomasmasonmetroLiverpool flop Mario Balotelli has had a shot named after him in Nice barhttp://metro.co.uk/2016/09/14/liverpool-flop-mario-balotelli-has-had-a-shot-named-after-him-in-nice-6126955/
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Mario Balotelli has made a flying start at his new club (Picture: Getty)

In stark contrast to his time at Liverpool, Mario Balotelli has got off to a great start at new club Nice, and has quickly endeared himself with his new fans.

The Italian had a nightmare two years at Anfield, scoring just one Premier League goal and spending his second season on loan at AC Milan, where he also struggled to find form.

Still, having got off to a dream start with two goals on his Nice debut, which saw him pick up the Man of the Match award, he’s now received a new form of recognition for his efforts.

Balotelli was described by former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers as a ‘calculated risk’ following his £16 million transfer in August 2014 but the striker spent just one season at Anfield before being sent out on loan to Milan.

Believe it or not, Mario Balotelli was still a Liverpool player going into deadline day.

The Italian forward moved to Anfield in 2014 for £16million but made just 16 league appearances before being sent on loan to AC Milan.

The enigmatic striker has never been too far away from the headlines and

Balotelli, 26, finally sealed a move away from Anfield today by joining French club Nice on a free transfer and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher appeared to be the happiest Red on Merseyside after the Italian’s exit.

Mario Balotelli could leave Liverpool in the next couple of days (Picture: Getty)

Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere has found a novel new way of conducting his transfer business.

The French club have been linked with Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli this summer, and the Nice chief decided to try and move the deal along on Saturday.

He asked for the Italian’s phone number, during a post-match press conference!

‘Do you have Balotelli’s number? Call him and tell him we need a striker in Nice,’ he said after Nice’s 1-1 draw with Lille.

Balotelli looks set to leave Anfield this summer, if the Reds can find a club to take him.

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http://metro.co.uk/2016/08/29/nice-president-asks-for-liverpool-star-mario-balotellis-phone-number-in-middle-of-press-conference-as-transfer-links-grow-6097427/feed/0maxmiller72mario balotellimaxmiller72(Picture: Getty)Liverpool’s Mario Balotelli is looking for a new club…so posts video of him running up and downhttp://metro.co.uk/2016/08/24/liverpools-mario-balotelli-is-looking-for-a-new-club-so-posts-video-of-him-running-up-and-down-6088306/
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Mario Balotelli did train with the rest of the fist-team squad at the very start if pre-season (Picture: Getty)

Usually when a player’s commitment or physique is called into the question, their first port of call is to post an extreme training video.

Owen Hargreaves, Memphis Depay, Mario Gotze and many more struggling players have turned to the good old training video trick to try and entice new suitors and Liverpool striker Balotelli has just joined the club.

Except, the 26-year-old seems to have got the concept of such a video slightly wrong.

Usually the said under pressure player proves his athleticism or commitment through a series of crazy looking drills, but Balotelli has literally just posted a video… Read the full story]]>

Jamie Carragher is not a fan of Mario Balotelli, right, at all (Picture: Getty)

Jamie Carragher has expressed disbelief the Reds bought Mario Balotelli in the past and now the former Liverpool defender has called the labelled the Italian as one of the most overrated players he has ever seen.

The 26-year-old striker has been an unmitigated disaster since former Reds boss Brendan Rodgers spent £16million on bringing him to Anfield two years ago and he has scored just four goals.

Balotelli spent last season on loan at former club AC Milan and his days at Liverpool appear to be numbered as he been told by Jurgen Klopp to find a new club.

Mario Balotelli is desperate for someone to rescue him from his Liverpool nightmare, according to Besiktas president Fikret Orman.

The 25-year-old has been a Liverpool player for two years since arriving from AC Milan in a £16million deal in 2014, but has made just 28 appearances for the Reds, scoring a dismal four goals in those appearances.

Balotelli spent last season on loan with Milan, but was shipped back after another disappointing campaign and Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp have made it very clear the Italian does not have a future at Anfield.

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has told Turkish club Besiktas that he wants to join them, according to their club president Fikret Orman.

The 25-year-old Italian is almost guaranteed to leave Anfield this summer having been told that he is not part of Jurgen Klopp’s plans for the forthcoming season.

While the first team prepare for their high-profile pre-season friendly fixtures as part of their tour of America, Mario Balotelli is bouncing between the youth academy and reserve team training back at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground.

Besiktas’ first priority was to attempt to keep holds of German international Mario Gomez who, with some certainty, confirmed his plans to leave Turkey because… Read the full story]]>

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http://metro.co.uk/2016/07/24/liverpool-star-mario-balotelli-hilariously-joins-random-couples-wedding-photos-6026446/feed/0George BellshawLiverpool FC star Mario Balotelli poses with newlyweds Vicky and David O¿Leary outside The Vincent Hotel in SouthportoriginalfootyLiverpool FC star Mario Balotelli poses with newlyweds Vicky and David O¿Leary outside The Vincent Hotel in SouthportnPicture: Adam Johns Photography/Liverpool EchonnBalotelli crashes wedding in pink boots and skull hoodienWith picsnLiverpool Echo Syndicationn0151 472 2589nBy Kirsty McHalennA pair of newlyweds had an unexpected guest at their big day in the form of Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli.nThe star posed with Vicky and David O¿Leary, both big Liverpool FC fans, and their bridesmaids as they had their wedding photos taken outside The Vincent Hotel on Lord Street, Southport, on Sunday afternoon.nAdam Johns, who was taking Mr and Mrs O¿Leary¿s wedding photos, asked the Italian forward if he would have a photo with the happy couple when they spotted him outside the hotel, and he kindly agreed.nAdam said: ¿The couple said he was really nice and friendly, and more than happy to have photos taken with them, which made their day with them being such big Reds fans.n¿It was the icing on the cake.¿nWhile he wasn¿t exactly dressed for the occasion, standing out in a bold skull print Philipp Klein top and bright red trainers, Balotelli was happy to mingle with the bride and groom as they assembled for their photographs.nAdam said: ¿He asked them if they¿d had a nice day, and said ¿I bet you¿ve had loads of photos taken today¿.¿n¿Also the bridesmaids told him that he smelled gorgeous!¿n25-year-old Balotelli, who previously lived in Formby, has just returned to Merseyside after a loan spell at AC Milan. He was not taken by the club on their summer tour of the USA.Liverpool FC star Mario Balotelli poses with newlyweds Vicky and David O¿Leary outside The Vincent Hotel in SouthportnPicture: Adam Johns Photography/Liverpool EchonnBalotelli crashes wedding in pink boots and skull hoodienWith picsnLiverpool Echo Syndicationn0151 472 2589nBy Kirsty McHalennA pair of newlyweds had an unexpected guest at their big day in the form of Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli.nThe star posed with Vicky and David O¿Leary, both big Liverpool FC fans, and their bridesmaids as they had their wedding photos taken outside The Vincent Hotel on Lord Street, Southport, on Sunday afternoon.nAdam Johns, who was taking Mr and Mrs O¿Leary¿s wedding photos, asked the Italian forward if he would have a photo with the happy couple when they spotted him outside the hotel, and he kindly agreed.nAdam said: ¿The couple said he was really nice and friendly, and more than happy to have photos taken with them, which made their day with them being such big Reds fans.n¿It was the icing on the cake.¿nWhile he wasn¿t exactly dressed for the occasion, standing out in a bold skull print Philipp Klein top and bright red trainers, Balotelli was happy to mingle with the bride and groom as they assembled for their photographs.nAdam said: ¿He asked them if they¿d had a nice day, and said ¿I bet you¿ve had loads of photos taken today¿.¿n¿Also the bridesmaids told him that he smelled gorgeous!¿n25-year-old Balotelli, who previously lived in Formby, has just returned to Merseyside after a loan spell at AC Milan. He was not taken by the club on their summer tour of the USA.Mino Raiola backs Liverpool’s Mario Balotelli to find his best form if given the right opportunityhttp://metro.co.uk/2016/07/23/mino-raiola-backs-liverpools-mario-balotelli-to-find-his-best-form-if-given-the-right-opportunity-6023787/
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Mario Balotelli has returned to training with Liverpool (Picture: Getty)

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli just needs the right opportunity to get back to his best, according to his agent Mino Raiola.

The 25-year-old has been linked with a departure from the Reds since returning from a loan at AC Milan last season.

‘In life it is never too late. If you think Mario makes me despair, you are wrong because his life has improved a lot and now only needs to have the right opportunity,’ Raiola told Corriere Dello Sport.

‘Of course, he also needs a little bit of luck which, in recent seasons, he has not had. But I assure you, he is… Read the full story]]>